Are You Confused Between Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck?

A flatter and firmer midsection is a common aesthetic goal for majority of men and women who seek Dr. Cortes’expertise here at our Houston body contouring surgery practice. By and large, their cosmetic options can be narrowed down to two procedures — a tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty and liposuction.

Both procedures have their own set of sub-types  depending on the techniques used in surgery. In the case of tummy tuck, there could be a variation in the type and location of incisions as well. Nevertheless, both tummy tuck and liposuction have the same end goal in mind — improve the appearance of one’s abdominal area and make it appear naturally proportional to the rest of your body. 

When to Choose Liposuction

Generally, liposuction is the ideal body contouring procedure for you if have a hard time getting rid of stubborn pockets of fat in the abdominal area. Majority of our patients who have greatly benefited from liposuction are those who have done almost everything to improve their abdominal contours through diet and exercise.

In addition, liposuction can also be done to other areas of the body with excess pockets of fat such as the arms, chin, neck, sides (love handles, anyone?), butt, and legs. In some cases, one can even have the option to use their extra fat to augment their breasts or buttocks.

It is important to note that liposuction will not help you eliminate stretch marks and extra skin tissues. Neither will it improve the appearance of loose abdominal muscles. For the aforementioned concerns, a tummy tuck may be done in conjunction with liposuction.

When to Choose Tummy Tuck

Simply put, a tummy tuck is your best bet if your concerns has to do with sagging abdominal skin and loose abdominal muscles. The procedure per se involves an incision made in the lower abdominal region which allows Dr. Cortes to lift slack muscles and remove excess skin. The remaining skin will then be re-draped for a well-contoured and aesthetically balanced midsection.

Making the Decision

When making the decision between a tummy tuck and liposuction, one of the key factors to consider is which specific issues are actually bothering you. For some of our patients, a combination of both may be more helpful than just choosing one of the two procedures. 

Allow us to help you figure out which body contouring procedure will suit you best. Call us at 713.234.6244 or fill out this contact form to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Cortes. We look forward to your visit!